What’s Happening!! (1976-1979)
What’s Happening!! is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976, until April 28, 1979, premiering as a summer series. It returned as a weekly series from November 1976 until its April 1979 conclusion. What’s Happening!! was loosely based on the Eric Monte-penned film Cooley High. From 1985 until 1988, a sequel series titled What’s Happening Now!! aired in first-run syndication, with most of the major cast members reprising their roles.
What’s Happening!! was Bud Yorkin’s second series after he ended his partnership with Norman Lear and Tandem Productions. The show was produced by TOY Productions, which was formed by Yorkin, Saul Turteltaub, and Bernie Orenstein after their split.
What’s Happening!! follows the lives of three working-class African-American teens living in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts. The show stars Ernest Thomas as Roger “Raj” Thomas, Haywood Nelson as Dwayne Nelson, and Fred Berry as Freddy “Rerun” Stubbs. Additional co-stars include: Danielle Spencer as Roger’s younger sister Dee; Mabel King as Roger and Dee’s mother Mabel; and Shirley Hemphill as Shirley Wilson, a waitress at Rob’s Place, the neighborhood restaurant where the boys are regular patrons. Recurring characters include Rob (Earl Billings), owner of Rob’s Place, and Mrs. Collins (Fritzi Burr), a sarcastic history teacher and the sponsor of the school newspaper.
Characters
Roger “Raj” Thomas (Ernest Thomas), the show’s protagonist, is a teenager living in Watts with his divorced mother Mabel and his younger sister Dee.
Dwayne Clemens Nelson (Haywood Nelson) is the youngest member of the trio.
Frederick (Freddy) “Rerun” Stubbs (Fred Berry) is a bumbling, comedic young man.
Dee Thomas (Danielle Spencer) is Raj’s younger sibling.
Mabel “Mama” Thomas (Mabel King) is Raj and Dee’s divorced mother.
Shirley Wilson (Shirley Hemphill) is a waitress at the neighborhood soda shop.